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KIRSKVILLE, Mo. (AP) - A former northeast Missouri college student who claimed she had terminal cancer has been sentenced to five years' probation for forgery.

KTVO-TV reports 23-year-old Victoria Marut, of St. Peters, must also do 100 hours of community service under the sentence imposed Monday in Adair County Circuit Court.

Marut was accused of fooling teachers and pupils at Kirksville schools during her internship as a Truman State University graduate student. Her shaved head and claim of having terminal non-Hodgkins lymphoma prompted an outpouring of cash and other assistance.

Marut pleaded guilty earlier to forging a doctor's signature.

For community service, Marut must speak in schools about the decisions she made and how they affected other people. She was also ordered to write letters of apology to students and teachers in Kirksville.

 

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (AP) - A northeast Missouri man charged with killing and dismembering his neighbor could enter a plea next week.

Forty-nine-year-old Paul Potter of Kirksville will be arraigned April 2 on first-degree murder and other charges in the January death of 74-year-old Willis Edward Meredith.

Prosecutors say Potter stabbed Meredith, dismembered his body and set fires to conceal the crime. He also allegedly threw the victim's arms at witnesses shortly before he was arrested.

Potter waived his preliminary hearing last Thursday, sending the case to the Adair County Circuit Court.

The Kirksville Daily Express reports that a court order prevents attorneys from discussing the case with the media.